X

Revenge and Vengeance

Almost every movie one watches the main plot involves some action of injustice or perceived wrong then revenge is taken. The thrill is seeing how the revenge is taken.

The fallen nature of humanity seeks revenge and vengeance. This action by people reveals a lack of confidence that God can or will take care of the matter or action.

Just look at the world today and study history. You will see an unending call for revenge. Consider the Middle East and you are faced with a horrible action or injustice and the other side then commits a similar horror or action as a payback. The very heart of conflict around the world is rooted in this spirit of revenge and vengeance. Think about it. The rational goes’¦look what they did to me, or my family, or my country! This is also the root of personal and family and business conflicts.

There is a world of bitter people seeking to pay back their spouse, or divorced partner or child or parent or friend. Many people are seeking ways to punish those who have wronged or offended them.

I remember carrying the cross in Papua New Guinea up in the Highlands Mountains. I saw with my own eyes hundreds of warriors lined up throwing spears and charging into a battle. Some person in one tribe had done an injustice and the other tribe was seeking “Payback’! It was considered primitive tribal warfare. I look at the world today and see the same thing. No difference just different weapons! Same spirit and same primitive behavior.

The big key to this is that both primitive religion and major religions often accept revenge as both a right action and even Godly! Even the so-called secular non-religious people seem to fall into this same mindset. Often the religion demands an action of revenge.

In the Old Testament of the Holy Bible there is story after story of actions of revenge and vengeance. Even the Hebrew law stated:

” But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life,
” eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
” burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
(Exodus 21:23-25 in the Holy Bible)

Yet even in the Old Testament we have the revelation of God saying:

‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
(Leviticus 19:17-18 in the Holy Bible)

“ Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them.’
(Deuteronomy 32:35 in the Holy Bible)

In Jesus we see the full understanding of the concept of Revenge and Vengeance. Jesus is God in the Flesh and we now understand from Him how ‘we’ are to live. We come to realize that vengeance is in the Hands of God. We are not to try to do God’s work. We are to love, forgive and bless the wrongdoers and enemies. This revelation was stunning to the people of His day and it is still considered radical and impractical by many, even the devout believers often seem to think that this is just too much.
Consider the following words of Jesus:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
” But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
” If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
” And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
” Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
” You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
” But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
” that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
” For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
” And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
” Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.’
(Matthew 5:38-48 in the Holy Bible)

” For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
” But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
(Matthew 6:14-15 in the Holy Bible)

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
(Matthew 18:21-22 in the Holy Bible)

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
” But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
(Mark 11:25-26 in the Holy Bible)

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
(Luke 23:33-34 in the Holy Bible)

In the Words of Jesus you can see clearly His teaching to us and how we are to live and how we are to react to offences.

Now should you have a problem with the above then your problem is Jesus’¦not me!
What is so profound is not only what He taught but you see that Jesus lived what He taught. On the cross as He hung in pain and agony as He was dying He cried out in prayer to the Father “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.’

I remember as a child one afternoon when my sister and I got off the school bus and walked to our home, a neighbor was waiting for us. He told us that my dad was in the hospital. A drunken neighbor angry about something had come over and while my dad was not looking had picked up a board and struck my dad on the back breaking some of his ribs. My dad got up and made his way to the house where mother then took him to the hospital. I was about 12 or 13 years old, anger, revenge and thoughts of vengeance filled my mind. As the neighbor drove my sister and I to the hospital, over and over in my mind I was planning to take revenge. I will never forget one of the greatest gifts my dad ever gave me. When I walked into that room and saw my beloved dad in bed and injured. He looked into my eyes and saw my anger and rage. He called me to his bedside and said “Son, don’t do anything. That man needs our prayers. He is hurting worse than me. That is why he drinks so much. Remember this son, the Bible says:

For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
(Hebrews 10:30-31 in the Holy Bible)

Even as I type this tears fill my eyes so much I can hardly see. “Thank you dad for teaching me a ‘life’ lesson.’ He taught me in word and deed to leave the vengeance and repay to God. I also will never forget how a few years later my dad prayed with that very man and led him to know Jesus as his Savior! Praise God.

I know some of you may find it difficult to live out these teaching of Jesus. Just let Him fill you with the Holy Spirit and the very Spirit of God that abides in the heart of the believer will give you this grace. Focus on following Jesus and leave everything else to God!
So how am I to live?

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
” But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
” If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
” And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
” Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
” You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
” But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
” that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.’

God bless you,

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,
Arthur and Denise Blessitt
Luke 18:1